February 14, 2012 - 15:25 AMT
Slovak politician: human life dearer than freedom of speech

Slovak politician, member of the National Council of the Slovak Republic František Mikloško urged main actors of the European Union to change the principles and tools of shaping future Europe.

“EU doesn’t conceive yet that the Armenian Genocide denial led to such disasters as Nazism, Holocaust and later communist repressions,” Mr. Mikloško told a press conference, noting Slovakia as the first European country to adopt the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial.

“The French Constitutional Council is likely to pass its decision on February 28. However, in light of recent developments there are no real chances for passage of the bill,” Slovak politician said, adding that each human life is more valuable that freedom of speech.

On January 23, the French Senate passed the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide. If signed into law, the bill will impose a 45,000 euro fine and a year in prison for anyone in France who denies this crime against humanity committed by the Ottoman Empire.